Ready..Set...Go....

Carter started soccer this week. He is so excited that he actually gets to play real soccer. He has taken two years of skills in Boise, but he has never played a real game. He did much better than I thought he would. They play three on three and the boys just run their little hearts out. (Tracy, I will email you his game schedule.)

1st Day of School

Carter started Kindergarten today! He kept on saying last night that he was so excited to start school. I can't believe that it is time for him to start school. It just seems like he should always be my ltittle boy. It felt good that he still wanted me to stand by him and hold his hand as we walked to his class. I can't wait to see what things he learns and teaches me through his school experiences.

Ashlynn starts her preschool dance class next week. I found this preschool that incorporates dancing and tumbling along with other activities in their school schedule. They will have 3 performances throughout the year and she gets her dancing and tumbling all in one place. I love it! Carter and Ashlynn before they left for school. Notice the happy smiles.
Yikes! Carter is not so sure of this anymore...notice the facial expression.
He still has the unsure face or he wants me to hurry and take the picture. On a positive note he does want to go back. Yeah!

Bee's Baseball Game

We used Matt's baseball tickets that his Tee Ball team gave him and got to experience a Bee's Baseball game at Franklin Covey Field. It was a packed house and it was a good game. Carter took this picture of the field. Not bad, huh?
There was a fireworks show after the game. It was a very entertaining show.
After the fireworks the kids ran the bases on the field.
Then they got a free meal at the Old Spaghetti factory and a candy bar for running the bases.

Finally! Carter's Turn

Carter finally got his turn for swimming lessons. He has always been very cautious when it comes to water. He has always hated bath time and when he got old enough to stand we quit with the baths and switched to showering him. He has taken level one swim lesson three times and this year he did very well. The first year of swim he would not put his head under water for anything not even to get the fun toys at the bottom of pool in the shallow end. Then, his 2nd year he conquered putting his head under water, but he would not jump off the edge of pool. So, this year he did both and in fact you could not even tell that he has had a fear of water. I think Ashlynn was little help in showing him it is not so scary. Ashlynn, Carter and Sam hanging out before their lessons.

Ashlynn is our little leader and usually has the last word in our family.
Sam (Carter's Cousin) and Carter
Carter getting ready for his swim under the water.
Carter under the water! We are so proud of him!
Yes! He has finally passed level one! What a great accomplishment for Carter.

He is so excited that he wants to start level two tomorrow.

Lagoon Adventures

Since the summer season is almost over thought I would share some of our pictures from lagoon. We had season passes this year and we sure used them alot. It was so fun to go a spend family time there. It is well worth for us to have passes so we could come and go as we wanted. The regular season is over, but Frightmares will be starting in September. I am looking forward to some fun spook houses. Enjoy the pics.

Tear to my eye....

I have watched more TV than ever since the Olympics have been on. I love team competition and all the hard work it takes to be great sports players. It definitely takes courage, dedication, passion and talent for the sport you love. I am so excited for team USA in all events that have been played.
We were chating at work and one of the doctors said after watching the running races he felt like he needed to just get out there and run. So he did just that and he is not even a runner. So the Olympic games can be inspiring in some ways. Misti May and Kerri Walsh are battling for the gold medal on Wednesday evening. I can't wait! They show such great team sportsmanship and are very good beach volleyball players.
I had a tear in my eye when I saw Shawn Johnson finally win her gold medal on the balance beam. She is truly a great role model for humility and a great competitor. The best part is when they showed her parent's reaction to her gold medal. We have all been there when we have felt so overwhelmed with emotion for our kids or something that makes all the hard work pay off.
Shawn Johnson and Nastia Lukin were so inspiring to watch during their events. Although the judging sometimes did not go as it should of gone. They always had a smile on their faces.

Fun in the Sun at Hogle Zoo

We spent an afternoon at the Hogle Zoo in Utah with Ashlynn and Carter's cousins. It would not be a day at the zoo without the sun beating down on you and not having enough time under the cool misters. All in all we managed to have some fun! Trey, Sam, Carter and Ashlynn sitting on top of a Rhino.
Another picture of the gang in front of the restrooms. This a must when your drinking a gallon of water and running around in the sun. Good times!
I loved this picture. The trainers were feeding the giraffes and they were acting so cute.
Ashlynn looking at I don't know what. It was in the small animal building. She ran with it along the glass. She said "it's so cute!"
I thought this was a fun picture too. I never have seen the elephants to this before. He was eating from this hanging net. Kind of fun!
What do you think? Carter doesn't stand a chance with one of these.

Primary Activity

Our Primary had our quarterly Activity at the Museum of Church History and Art building. It has been so great that both our kids can participate in Primary Activities. Ashlynn should be in Nursey, but since our ward does not have a nursey they moved Ashlynn in with the Sunbeam class. She has done really well and fits in perfectly.

This kids had a great time acting as pioneers and doing the various activities they had planned for our group. The kids even got to become lifetime honorary Tabernacle Choir members. Ashlynn dressed up as a sawer. We were taught how they made the benches in the Tabernacle.
Then we got to paint and spread a pattern that looked like a piece of wood.
Carter finishing his masterpiece.
Carter and his friend Sam enjoying time in the children's area. What fun place to spend a afternoon. The kids were very interested in all that was shown to them.

Go USA!

I thought the new background would be fitting due to the Olympics starting! I can't wait to watch the events that take place. My favorite events are gymnastics, volleyball, track and field, swimming and softball. Go USA!!

Liberty Park

We ventured out to Liberty Park with friends of ours from Boise. It is so convenient that my friend's parents live in Ogden so when they come to Utah we get to see them too. Carter and my friend Ami's son Jameson had a fun time playing around the park.

Ashlynn cooling herself off in the water fountain.

Carter and Jameson playing around the splash pad. They were filling up a cup and throwing water on eachother.
This is the splash pad at the playground. This park was so fun and there was so many things to do and I have never seen so many swings at a park. There were so many that there was always a swing open. That never happens on a busy saturday and any park. You always have to wait a turn.

This park has miniature water canyons that turn into streams that flow into a pool area at the bottom. The Canyons are named after the Canyons along the Wasatch front in Utah.
The kids had a blast splashing and laying in the mini streams of water. The water was so refreshing.
They kids also liked throwing floaties in the water and watching them float to the bottom of the canyons.
This is the pool area at the bottom of all the streams. We had such a great time with our friends. We hope to see them soon again! Thanks for the all the fun!

Grandma Frankie and Grandpa Tom make their way to Utah!

Matt's parents made a special visit to Utah to visit everyone. We had a great time visiting with each other and ate some very yummy food! The kids were so excited to see them!
Ashlynn had herself strapped in Grandpa's truck ready to go home with them.
Thanks so much for the Boyd's bears, bags and fun princess stuff for Ashlynn. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. Oh, and Carter still loves his new light saber.